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Start Preamble

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Northeast Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that the subject exempted fishing permit (EFP) application contains all the required information and warrants further consideration. The subject EFP would allow commercial fishing vessels to conduct fishing operations that are otherwise restricted by the regulations governing the fisheries of the Northeastern United States. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before November 16, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be submitted by e-mail to NERO.EFP@noaa.gov. Written comments should be sent to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on the SNE Flatfish Discard Mortality EFP.” Comments may also be sent via facsimile (fax) to (978) 281-9135.

Start Further Info

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

An EFP is being requested for one vessel participating in the Southern New England (SNE) Flatfish Discard Mortality Study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) Cooperative Marine Education and Research program. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effects of different stressors on the mortality of flatfish discarded in SNE and Mid-Atlantic trawl fisheries. The researchers would conduct field and lab observations of flatfish captured during regular commercial fishing operations for Reflex Action Mortality Predictors (RAMP) under different stressors to assess the discard mortality rates of five flatfish stocks: SNE yellowtail flounder; SNE winter flounder; summer flounder; northern windowpane flounder; and southern windowpane flounder. In addition, the applicants would use the results of their study to assess the use of RAMP in estimating the mortality of each species within the flatfish complex.

The study would be conducted aboard one commercial fishing vessel in the SNE and Mid-Atlantic mixed trawl fishery, beginning the date of issuance of the EFP and continuing for a full year. The vessel would utilize otter trawl gear with gear configuration and mesh size dictated by current fishery regulations. SMAST technicians and/or commercial fishermen would collect 100 fish of each species per month, during regular commercial fishing operations, for a maximum catch of 6,000 fish over the course of the 12-month study (Table 1). Fish would be placed in oxygen-enriched seawater tanks and, upon landing, be transported live to the SMAST seawater lab facility for testing. Fish collected for laboratory observation would not be sold. The applicant has requested an exemption from NE multispecies possession restrictions for SNE yellowtail flounder, and SNE winter flounder and windowpane flounder, at §§ 648.86(g)(1) and 648.86(l), respectively, in order to land the live specimens in excess of possession limits. The applicants have also requested an exemption from NE multispecies minimum fish sizes at § 648.83 and the summer flounder minimum fish size at § 648.103(a), in order to test a representative sample of the age composition of flatfish.

Table 1—Estimated Sample Size

Species

Number of fish/month

Number of fish total

SNE Yellowtail Flounder

100

1200

SNE Winter Flounder

100

1200

Summer Flounder

100

1200

Northern Windowpane Flounder

100

1200

Southern Windowpane Flounder

100

1200

The participating vessel is enrolled in Northeast Fishery Sector V for the 2010 fishing year, which has received a SNE yellowtail flounder annual catch entitlement (ACE). Consistent with the regulations at § 648.87, the participating vessel is currently exempt from trip limits on this stock, but would not be exempt from any sector requirements, including at-sea and dockside monitoring of sector trips and full retention of legal-sized fish of allocated stocks, while fishing under this EFP. In addition, all catch of allocated stocks by the sector vessel on a sector trip, while participating in the EFP, would count toward the sector's ACE, and the vessel's sector must have ACE of all stocks in the area the vessel intends to fish a sector trip. The vessel would be required to report research catch landed that is of legal size separate from that of sub-legal size, on their Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs). The vessel's sector manager would be notified to include legal-sized research landings from the VTRs in their ACE accounting, in addition to the vessel's dealer-recorded landings.

In addition to retaining fish for laboratory observation, technicians would observe a minimum of 100 fish of each species on commercial fishing trips for RAMP before they are discarded at-sea. The applicants would require a temporary exemption from the summer flounder commercial minimum fish size restriction at § 648.103(a), the NE multispecies minimum fish size restrictions at § 648.83, and the NE multispecies possession restrictions at §§ 648.86(g)(1) and 648.86(l), for the time period when trained technicians or crew are sampling fish. To ensure that monthly sampling is not disrupted, the applicants have also requested vessels be exempt from the summer flounder closure specified at § 648.101(a) for the purposes of collecting the 100 live specimens of each species each month.

The applicants may request minor modifications and extensions to the EFP throughout the course of research. EFP modifications and extensions may be granted without further public notice if they are deemed essential to facilitate completion of the proposed research and result in only a minimal change in the scope or impacts of the initially approved EFP request. If an extension is requested that goes beyond the fishing year, it is required to go through the publication process again.

In accordance with NAO Administrative Order 216-6, a Categorical Exclusion or other appropriate National Environmental Policy Act document would be completed prior to the issuance of the EFP. Further review and consultation may be necessary before a final determination is made to issue the EFP. After publication of this document in the Federal Register, the EFP, if approved, may become effective following the public comment period.